ACCESSIBLE CAIRNS

One of the most relaxing and independent days on our New Year’s Eve Rhapsody of the Seas cruise in 2013 was spending the day in Cairns. It was a 12 hour day in port and we quickly understood why. Cairns had so much to offer and we packed in heaps in the time we had at our disposal.

The first thing we did was take a taxi from the ship to the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. I had been to Cairns a few times before but had never had the opportunity to do the Skyrail and Kuranda Scenic Railway. Usually, Cairns was the landing city and we would quickly head north or south to one of the resorts along the coast. There used to be nothing much to entice a stopover. So this was the perfect opportunity to experience these award-winning tourist attractions and a much improved city of Cairns compared to 15 or 20 years ago.

Cable car above Cairns with city and rainforest views in the background

It was a day where I felt proud to call myself Australian and see first hand how inclusive we can be and why these tourist attractions had been award-winning. The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is a world leader in eco-tourism, providing a truly unique rainforest experience available nowhere else in the world and it was totally accessible. We boarded the skyrail at Smithfield Terminal separately because each cable car could only fit one person in a wheelchair. My good friend, Mel and I were both using wheelchairs. The clockwork procedures and communication amongst the staff was phenomenal.

With three possible stops at Red Peak Station, Barron Falls and finally Kuranda Terminal. We chose to stop at Barron Falls and then Kuranda Terminal so that we could continue on to the Kuranda Scenic Railway in plenty of time to get back to the ship. Staff at Barron Falls were ready for us to get down from the cars, the process was so smooth and the staff made you feel safe at all times.

We explored the lookouts and pushed along the accessible board walks and pathways. In some parts, the gradient was a little steep, it certainly tested my fitness and took me some effort to get up these ramped areas, but it wasn’t impossible. Having someone help you push would certainly alleviate the fatigue that can come over you when exercising in hot humid conditions though!

Praying Mantis sculpture between two posts with signage of local Kuranda village locations with roadway and trees in the background.

Once we got to Kuranda Terminal it was a guided transition to the Kuranda Scenic Railway and staff were ready for us. They used a mobile lift to load us onto the train.

(Photo: Being lifted on to train, Kuranda Scenic Railway, Rhapsody of the Seas NYE Cruise 2013, Cairns, January 2014)

Once onboard we had the choice to stay in our chairs or sit in the comfortable lounge chairs. We both chose the comfy lounge chairs, it was a good excuse to get out of our own! The wheelchairs were buckled in securely so they wouldn’t move during the train ride down the mountain and we enjoyed gorgeous scenery, commentary along the way and a curvy ride as we approached Freshwater Station.

Once in Cairns we made our way to the waterfront where the major redevelopment project along the esplanade brought to life a Cairns that I had never known. With a water lagoon, lots of cafes, restaurants and bars and a walkway that ran along the waterline, it was a clean, tidy, accessible Cairns I hadn’t experienced before. Mel and I pushed along the city exploring shops and then made our way towards Salt House Bar for some food and a cocktail or two before we headed back to the ship for our next leg of the cruise.

Red cocktail in Martini glass on the right on top of a table with water fountain inside green square feature on the left

Cruising for me is one of the most relaxing ways to travel but when you encounter a port that is just as accessible then the relaxing experience is enhanced. I will definitely be going back to Cairns whether by ship or by plane. It is a trendy, clean and accessible city now with an abundance of varied things to do and picturesque waterfront. Especially on a balmy summer’s night with lights adorning trees and creating an enchanted atmosphere along the waterfront.

Sometimes we forget how wonderful our own backyard is when we constantly look overseas to satisfy our travel bug. Definitely worth exploring this great country of ours.